UBS upgraded Rivian (RIVN) to Buy after strong third-quarter results, citing improving R2 demand, stronger cash position, and potential gross-margin expansion as the company ramps production of its lower-priced SUV. The catalyst could lift shares in the near term, as investors price in better economics from the R2 program and a healthier balance sheet.
Rivian reported Q3 revenue of $2.155 billion, up 38% year over year and above consensus. The company guided full-year deliveries to 67k-70k and projected an adjusted EBITDA loss of $1.75-$1.85 billion, an improvement of about $100 million at the midpoint. CEO RJ Scaringe framed Rivian as building a fully electric, autonomous and AI-defined platform, sending shares higher before the market opened.
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said the company is very confident it will hit an autonomy milestone this year that unlocks a $250 million tranche of Uber's investment. This milestone underscores the strategic role of autonomous tech in Rivian's funding and could boost investor optimism if the timing aligns with expectations.
Rivian posted a solid Q3 with revenue of $2.155B, up 38% year over year and ahead of estimates. Automotive and software revenue expanded, while the adjusted loss narrowed to $0.48 per share. The company raised full-year deliveries guidance to 67k-70k and cut capex by $300M, signaling stronger operating discipline as it accelerates Autonomy+ and AI initiatives, with an Autonomy Day set for December 9.
Rivian’s joint venture with Volkswagen Group is broadening to license Rivian’s AI voice assistant, signaling a potential software-revenue stream and deeper OEM collaboration. VW has boosted its commitment to as much as $5.8 billion by 2027, aligning with Rivian’s vertical-integration strategy and OTA-driven software upgrades across vehicles, including the ID EVERY1. The development underscores Rivian’s push to monetize software and scale its platform in a major automaker ecosystem.
Rivian is pursuing new van customers after losing exclusive rights with Amazon. Social-media images hint at a Walmart partnership, with investors seeking clarity in Thursday's earnings report. Van deliveries surged in Q3, underscoring Rivian's leadership in EV delivery—though Walmart’s involvement remains unconfirmed.